The Scottish 6 Days has been run successfully every two years since 1977 and is regarded as one of the best organised and most enjoyable orienteering festivals in the world. Typically runners from over 35 nations take part and in addition to great orienteering visitors will enjoy true Scottish hospitality and scenery. Good food, castles,historic bridges and of course whisky are all on offer in Royal Deeside. Highland 2015 had a record attendance, helped of course by the World Orienteering Championships. We cannot manage that again, but will still have race arenas in superb locations, short walks from the car parking, a bus service, fully services event campsite and courses for all the family as well as Elite level competition.
Day 3 is a WRE Middle Distance race. Please respect all terrain embargos.

Terrain description

Royal Deeside is one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, with the western part of the area within the Cairngorms National Park. The River Dee flows down from the mountains and eastwards towards Aberdeen. On either side of this glen (valley) the hills are cloaked with forest including remnants of ancient pinewood. There is a wealth of rock and contour detail in many of the areas. Capercaillie still roam some of the woods but we have use of some superb areas just outside the range of these birds. Some of the areas were used for WOC selection, and in 2018 the British Orienteering Championships will be staged in Deeside. There is no true wilderness (the impression given by Glen Affric) but there are well managed forests with path networks that will support easier technical difficulty to complex areas that will test the most experienced orienteer.

Training possibilities

There will be a number of training areas and maps available in the immediate run-up to the event. Details will be on the event website.

Holiday activities,nature,hiking etc.

This is prime tourist country - Queen Victoria and Prince Albert liked it so much they rebuilt a castle at Balmoral and the Royal familiy have been visiting ever since. The legacy of Queen Victoria includes many beautiful bridges and houses up and down the glen. Lochnagar is the best known mountain in the area, but there are numerous Munros all within easy reach of the event centre in te Victoria Halls in Ballater. Golf and fishing are popular activities, and there are many walking and cycling trails. A holiday not to be missed.